Kathleen was a devout mother, loving wife, dedicated teacher and role model to many. Her loss weighs heavily on the hearts of all who knew her. Kathleen’s kind spirit, enduring faith and unwavering values remain in her three daughters, Caroline, 18, Camille, 13, and Cate, 9.

Kathleen was born Dec. 6, 1967 in North Miami Beach, Fla. As a teenager, she moved with her family to Roswell and attended Roswell High School. It was there she met her husband, Roswell native Steve Stroud.

After graduation, Kathleen attended Kennesaw State University and earned a degree in middle school education. She taught math in Fulton County schools until the birth of her first child, Caroline.

Though her first priority was always her family, Kathleen continued to tutor and mentor many children during her years as a stay-at-home mom. For three years, she was a beloved teacher and administrator at the STAR House Foundation, an after-school tutoring program for at-risk children.

Kathleen spent the last several years as a math teacher at Fellowship Christian School, where her daughters attend. Both Steve and Kathleen have been avid participants at the school and have created a strong network of friends within the Fellowship community, as well as the community of Roswell, who lift up the family at this difficult time.

Fellow teacher and lifelong friend Nancy Moeller remember her as a person who cared about people.

“Kathleen had a unique way of connecting with every person she met,” Moeller said. “It wasn’t just on a superficial level, but she bonded with others in a way that made them feel like she truly understood what they were going through.

“A remarkable number of people would meet her and feel like they were old friends. It wasn’t that they would have that much in common, but that she found the commonality and brought it out in all her relationships, no matter how new or old,” Moeller said.

Close friend Nancy Diamond remembered her as a person who saw the important things in life and in people.

“I loved the way Kathleen looked at life,” said close friend Nancy Diamond. “She had a way of seeing to the heart of the matter. She could assess any situation and quickly focus on what was important.

“She saw through the superficial in trends and in people. But she was kind and patient. She was also absolutely hilarious and time spent with her always went much too quickly.”

The passing of Kathleen is a sharp blow to the heart of this community, Diamond said.

Her family and friends celebrate the full life that she led and the love and passion that she left behind.

“Kathleen taught me so much over the years,” said friend and confidant Keller Torrey. “She was first and foremost a mother and nurturer. But she was such an educator, in every sense of the word.”

“She was able to gratefully and gracefully accept help when needed, and she taught me how to talk openly, honestly and humorously even when faced with challenges. I witnessed her undying faith and I grew in mine."

There will be a celebration of Kathleen’s life at Roswell United Methodist Church on Thursday, Feb. 13th at 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Kathleen Stroud Memorial Fund (at any SunTrust bank) or to the Kathleen Magee Stroud Endowment Fund of the STAR House Foundation (starhousefoundation.org).